VACCHO NEWS AUTUMN 2015 by Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation

Njernda Aboriginal Corporation turns

news Autumn 2015

Bunna Lawrie, Colin Walker, Margaret Tang, Johnny Mitchell, Dulcie Russell, Faye Walker, Melva Johnson, Des Morgan, Kaye Lamb, Barbara Day, Debra Cowley and Muriel Day cut the cake

Bottom: Karlene Dwyer - Njernda Aboriginal Corporation CEO, Jill Galagher AO - VACCHO CEO and Jade Johnson

Njernda Aboriginal Corporation

has faced many tough challenges.

Aboriginal Cooperative Pty Ltd,

of Aboriginal peoples over the years,

(Njernda), formerly the Echuca

is in Echuca and was established

in 1974 by local Aboriginal people fighting for recognition and selfdetermination.

Echuca is located on the Murray

Through the dedication and support Njernda has survived all these challenges. Njernda acknowledges the many struggles that have taken place by our local people towards ensuring the physical, social, and

River in Northern Victoria and is

economic needs of Aboriginal

within the traditional lands of the

people living in Echuca and

Yorta Yorta Nation.

surrounding districts are met.

On 12 December 2014 Njernda

We believe that as the Indigenous

celebrated their 40th anniversary at the Dhungalla Function Centre in Moama. Over 400 community members attended the night. Over the last 40 years Njernda

peoples of this country we have a right to recognition, respect and positive support for our culture, heritage and traditions. CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc. VACCHO is the peak body for Aboriginal Health in Victoria.

Vibrant, healthy, selfdetermining Aboriginal communities

FROM PAGE ONE

To keep our cultural tradition strong we need to have a powerful Aboriginal community controlled organisation. We believe Njernda is the focus for the Echuca Aboriginal Community and it must be strong enough to stand up for the rights and viewpoints of the Community. This will signal to Echuca’s broader community that we exist and that we have a unique culture. We believe our kids need to learn the power of their cultural heritage within our Community from our respected Elders. We believe that children who develop identity through their culture will be able to move in and out of the broader community and to achieve their aspirations without losing their cultural identity. Njernda has continued to develop over time and now provides a number of programs including Health, Housing, Childcare and Family Services. Njernda currently employs around 95 Aboriginal peoples across the organisation.

VACCHO newsletters are also available to view online at www.vaccho.org. au/news-media/nl

Our Brothers’ Heritage Our brothers have come from the Dreamtime A land of mystery – the earth in its prime Their soul and the land was joined as one Here, in this country, they had a free run Their myths and legends are fascinating tales Told around campfires by initiated males The Rainbow Serpent and JuJu man Featured in this land’s overall plan They knew how to live off this great land Droughts and floods they could withstand They would walk about from place to place They were a very proud and spirited race Free from disease and with a life content The fruits of the land gave nourishment They abided by strict cultural laws Their life was free of very few flaws Then, upon the shores, did come a ship That had travelled far on an arduous trip They came to claim this land as their own For King, and country, and the English throne The Aborigines saw this and shook with fear They retaliated by throwing a spear But that was no match for a gun As they were slaughtered – one by one They were rounded up and used as slaves Or else put into early graves The ‘lucky’ ones were sent to a mission Where their health declined from poor nutrition No longer a proud and carefree race They were made to feel shame and disgrace Citizenship was not part of their brief Unless they renounced their own belief Like Christians before them they were persecuted Cast off their land to be transmuted The young were taken from their mothers Why were we so cruel to our brothers Had we the right to condemn We should’ve really learnt from them How to care for this wondrous country A shared heritage we would then see © Gaye Torney: Participant in VACCHO Cultural Safety Training

Contents 1 Njernda turns 40 2 Our Brothers’ Heritage 3 PapScreen Koori Community Grants The Budgets 3 Victorian Aboriginal alcohol and other drugs service providers 4 Sexy health got a whole lot deadlier Boorai bundle resources now available as a free download 2

VACCHO NEWS Autumn 2013

5 Bullroarer Program is helping to change the lives of our young men 6 Closing the Gap 7 Member worker profiles 8 Victorian Aboriginal alcohol and other drugs service providers 10 CEO For a Day program 2015 VACCHO staff profile 11 Around the traps

PapScreen Koori Community Grants

The Victorian Budget

The grants on offer are for Aboriginal health services, organisations and other health services to raise awareness of the importance of Pap Tests and to increase the number of Aboriginal women being screened within Victoria.

The Victorian Government released its budget 2015-2016 on 5 May.

The grants are non-recurrent funding of up to $3000 (plus GST) and can fund: • Costs associated with community consultation and/ or education • Seminar and workshop costs including catering, childcare and transport arrangements • Salary for a nurse or doctor • Promotion expenses including advertising costs • Administration costs directly related to the project. Applications open Monday 27 April and close on Wednesday 1 July 2015. You will receive notification of the success of your application within two weeks of applying. For the application form and guidelines please see www.papscreen.org. au/forhealthprofessional/ grantsandscholarships/ kooricommunitygrants

A quick guide for VACCHO Members The Policy and Advocacy Team at VACCHO have prepared a Victorian Budget brief that highlights the areas relevant to your organisations and communities. Visit VACCHO’s website for the budget brief (www.vaccho.org.au/policy-advocacy/ppr) and media release (www.vaccho.org.au/news-media/mr/vsb). The first budget of the new Victorian Government is focussed on families with funding restoration to critical core services, including health and education.

• The Whole of Government focus is on family violence prevention. • The Department of Health and Human Services focus is on investing in hospital infrastructure, child protection, mental health, AoD and disability support. • The Department of Education and Training have invested in TAFE and early childhood development. • The Department of Justice focus is on prison expansions. There are only a few specifically allocated funds targeted at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations. VACCHO will therefore advocate for a fair allocation of ALL funds. This will ensure that Aboriginal people, families, communities and organisations get a fair share of the huge investment made by this Government.

The Commonwealth Government’s Budget was released on 11 May 2105. Go to www.vaccho.org.au/policyadvocacy/ppr/ for further information. VACCHO NEWS Autumn 2015

Sexy health got a whole lot deadlier Dhauwurd Wurrung Elderly and Community Health Service (DWECH) hosted the first Deadly Sexy Health Kit training session in April. The Deadly Sexy Health Kit was developed by VACCHO as a resource to assist Aboriginal youth and health workers in yarning about respectful relationships, sexual health, sexuality and blood borne viruses. Aboriginal Health Workers, nurses and midwives joined VACCHO’s Tarneen Onus-Williams and Kat Byron in two days of hands-on, interactive sexy health training. The feedback from participants was positive and they enjoyed the relaxed environment, deadly yarns and having no PowerPoint presentations.

Deadly and Sexy health workers after the Deadly Sexy Health Kit training at DWECH in Portland

The Deadly Sexy Health Kit contains DVDs, toys, activities, card games, discussions and a facilitators guide and will be available for all ACCHOs who complete the training.

“I love teaching my mob about sexual health, in the training we had a lot of good laughs” said Yigar Gunditjmara woman, Tarneen Onus-Williams. “We are looking forward to more deadly sexy health sessions around the State.”

For more information on upcoming Deadly Sexy Health Kit trainings contact Tarneen OnusWilliams on tarneeno@vaccho.org.au, Kat Byron on katb@vaccho.org.au or call 9411 9411.

Boorai bundle resources now available as a free download Go to www.vaccho.org.au/wd/kms/bb/ and download the Boorai Bundle, deadly resources to help you take care of your bub. NUTRITION FOR & NaturAL Importance of Importance Culture to Boorai of Family to Boorai Language say to your Boorai Breast Milk is Normal NEWBORN-3 MONTHSto OLD EAT LESS

DESCRIPTIVE WORDS B Breastfeeding is best

OTHER WORDS FOR BABY

Nutrition is about healthy eating and having a healthy lifestyle.

A boorai begins to grow in the tummy of the mother

Child, Children Newborn boorais are very visual and will follow Boorai, moving objects

Family gives me a sense of belonging

Chickadee, Chicks, Pickannini Family helps me understand my kinship connections Newborn boorais are learning to control their limb movements: They will grow stronger from their upper arms to their fingerLittle tips one, Small one Family gives me a sense of identity and pride

Young one,and Baby, Bubba, Son/ Newborn boorais are still trying to coordinate their eyes hands to move together Dort/My baby, EAT

My family are my first teachers

Family teach me knowing culture and lore Kinshipwho you are

PREGNANCY

Gives you sugar, fat, energy

CULTURE IS IMPORTANT TOFAMILY MY BOORAI! IS IMPORTANT TO ALL BOORAIS!

Eating healthy meals and snacks will keep you energised Beautiful, Cute, Big, Nice,and lift your spirit. Lovely, Good, Gorgeous, Healthy food does not have to be expensive. R Reduces health risks for boorai and mum Eating healthy food during pregnancy is important to Soft, Strong, Smart, provide all the building blocks in your body to help your baby grow and develop. and support is essential for E Encouragement MODERATELYCheeky, Deadly! Staying healthy and leading a healthy lifestyle is important successful breastfeeding for you, your boorai and your family.

Gives you iron, calcium, boorais love soothing sounds and will watch theirBub parents when My family shares Dreamtime stories withNewborn me GREETINGS Sharing and caring looking after they are talking other I am myeach family’s cultural legacy

Boorais love to be comforted by their parents

Story telling- sharing dreamtime Boorais rely on their parents to comfort, clean, feed and care for them stories

My are… Protecting the family land looking after Boorais can sense their parents feelings and may respond with sounds and movements what is ours

protein, fat, energy Hello, Hi, Good Morning, G’day, Goodbye, See ya later, See ya, Welcome

ACTION WORDS

BRUZ

BRO

You could say things like:

EAT You did that really well |MORE That’s beautiful

Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc. 17-23 Sackville St, Collingwood VIC 3066 Phone: 03 9411 9411 Fax: 03 9411 9599 Email: kms@vaccho.com.au www.vaccho.org.au

MY FAMILY

Illustrations: Andrew Bamblett (Yorta Yorta | Gunai/Kurnai) and Jaara Andy (Yorta Yorta | Wiradjuri)

5. Breastfeeding is always at the right temperature and always ready for boorai 6. Breastfeeding helps mum get back in shape 7. Breastfeeding helps your boorai prevent and fight infection 8. The more often you feed boorai the more breast milk you will make 9. The longer you breastfeed, the more it will benefit you and your boorai

FIVE FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BREAST MILK 1. Breast milk has the right mix of love and goodness to promote your boorai’s growth and development 2. Breast milk has antibodies and nutrients that build a strong immune system to protect your boorai from getting sick 3. Breast milk can be expressed (pumped) and stored at room temperature for 6-8 hours, in a fridge for 72 hours or in a freezer for up to two weeks before thawing in the fridge for use. Never refreeze breast milk 4. Breast milk does not cost any money 5. Breast milk is natural and breastfeeding has been practiced by our ancestors since creation.

10. Breastfeeding helps prevent boorai from being overweight, developing diabetes, asthma and other illnesses when boorai is older.

Tucker Talk Tips - Healthy Eating During Pregnancy can be found at www.vaccho.org. au/nutrition

and a natural way to feed your boorai

While breast milk is the best option for feeding your boorai, breastfeeding is not always an option for some mothers and we also need to support mums who bottle feed their boorais. Infant formula also provides enough nutrition for feeding your boorai if it is properly prepared.

BOTTLE FEEDING Only use infant formula, cow’s milk is not suitable for a boorai under 12 months of age. All formulas sold in Australia provide the same nutrients so it does not matter which brand you choose. Read the instructions carefully and ensure that you do what is directed on the formula tin. Use the recommended amount for your boorai’s age. It is important to steralise all bottle feeding equipment. Remember, the only food your boorai will need in the first 6 months is breast milk or formula milk. Speak with your Aboriginal Health Worker, midwife or maternal child health nurse about introducing solid foods to your boorai at around six months of age.

G Gets mum back into shape

Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc. 17-23 Sackville St, Collingwood VIC 3066 T 03 9411 9411 F 03 9411 9599 E kms@vaccho.com.au www.vaccho.org.au

DEADLY WORDS BOORAI DEVELOPMENT Healthy Pregnancy, HealthyBREASTFEEDING Boorai Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc. 17-23 Sackville St, Collingwood VIC 3066 Phone: 03 9411 9411 Fax: 03 9411 9599 Email: kms@vaccho.com.au www.vaccho.org.au

Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc. 17-23 Sackville St, Collingwood VIC 3066 Phone: 03 9411 9411 Fax: 03 9411 9599 Email: kms@vaccho.com.au www.vaccho.org.au

Illustrations: Jaara Andy (Yorta Yorta | Wiradjuri)

3. Breastfeeding is free 4. Breastfeeding saves time – you do not need to sterilise bottles or make up formula

N Natural – breastfeeding is the normal

All images sourced from: Tucker Talk Tips - Healthy Eating During Pregnancy

Eating During Pregnancy’ Where is your mob from? What Country do you come from? Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc. 17-23 Sackville St, Collingwood VIC 3066 Phone: 03 9411 9411 Fax: 03 9411 9599 Email: kms@vaccho.com.au www.vaccho.org.au

CULTURE

1. Breastfeeding keeps mum and boorai healthy 2. Breastfeeding is the only food your boorai will need until they are around six months old

Boorai counting and colouring book

reduces risk of illness

Illustrations: Andrew Bamblett (Yorta Yorta | Gunai/Kurnai) and Jaara Andy (Yorta Yorta | Wiradjuri)

All You Need to Know About A Healthy Pregnancy for a Healthy Boorai

Avoid food that are more likely to carry bacteria. These include soft cheese, raw eggs, raw fish, cold smoked meat, cold chicken and soft serve ice cream.

POSITIVE PHRASES

Children thrive with words of encouragement and praise.

Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc. 17-23 Sackville St, Collingwood VIC 3066 Phone: 03 9411 9411 Fax: 03 9411 9599 Email: kms@vaccho.com.au www.vaccho.org.au

BREASTFEEDING

All You Need to Know About A Healthy Pregnancy for a Healthy Boorai

E Express – breast milk can be expressed and stored D Digesting breast milk is easy for boorai FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT I Important – fights infections with antibodies and

JARMBI

CUZ

BREASTFEEDING

Vitamins – A vitamin called folate is very important to help prevent birth defects. It can be found in green leafy

Iron is needed to make extra blood for both mother and baby. You can get iron from lean meat, chicken and baked beans. Some women may need to take iron tablets too.

movements

Linking with family- knowing whoBoorais are able to recognise their mothers breast for feeding your mob is COUSIN

Steady weight gain during pregnancy is important for the health of your baby. However it is also important not to gain too much weight. If you are a healthy weight it is

recommended that you gain 11.5 – 16 Kilograms. Time saving and no preparation needed

Good on you, Too Deadly, Free vegetables, most bread, baked beans, oranges and some and always available Great, Well done, Tops, You toobreakfast cereals. In addition Folic Acid tablets are recommended if you are deadly, Excellent, Deadly work, thinking of getting pregnant and for the first three months for the first 6 Exclusive feeding is recommended of pregnancy. Good effort, Nice work months of life

materials from looking and touching

BROTHER

Eating for two – a pregnant woman does not need to eat for two. It is the quality of food that she eats that is important, not the quantity.

F E

Play, Sing, Hug, Dance, Jump, Listen, Cuddle, Hug, Respect- showing some and NAN & POP GRANDMA & GRANDPA NANNA & POPPY Eat, Laugh, Read, Sing, Run, earning some Boorais can respond with coos, grunts and cries Here, Walk, Look, Crawl Connecting to land- goingSISSY home Boorais to SISTER SIS TIDDA are beginning to gain better control over head and neck Diversity- sharingELDERS our differencesBoorais can sense colours and different patterns of objects such as toys,

country

A Ancestors practiced breastfeeding since creation S Safest option for your boorai

COMPLIMENTS T

My Boorai’s Journey BoOK

Boorai Bundle Breastfeeding Booklet

MY NAME IS

Home visit

2 weeks

4 weeks

8 weeks

4 months

8 months

MATERNAL CHILD HEALTH NURSE VISITS:

12 months

18 months

2 years

3.5 years

---------------------

Height: ---------------------

---------------------

--------------------Height: ---------------------

---------------------

AT BIRTH MY HEIGHT WAS

Boorai growth chart

MY CLAN (MOB) IS

MY BIRTHDAY IS ON

AT BIRTH I WEIGHED

REMEMBER MY IMMUNISATION AT:

2 months

Birth

4 months

6 months

12 months

18 months

years old

Before I start school

4 years old

Now that I am

My favourite activities are:

I like to draw and paint:

years old

---------------------

I LIKE HELPING OTHERS

Now that I am

My favourite activity is:

I like to eat:

I feel happy when:

My favourite book is:

---------------------

years old - - - - Height: -----------------

---------------------

I’M BECOMING MORE INDEPENDENT ---------------------

CAN ENROL FOR SCHOOL

TO REMEMBER:

• Register your baby at Births, Deaths and Marriages

• Am I up to date with my immunisation?

130cm

125cm

120cm

115cm

110cm

105cm

I CAN ENROL FOR 4 YEAR OLD KINDER

Now that I am

My friends are:

I like making:

At the playground I like to:

---------------------

months old Height: ---------------------

---------------------

MY FAMILY TEACH ME CULTURE

I AM DUE FOR MY 3 YEAR MCHN CHECK UP

Now that I am

I have great fun when:

My favourite story is:

My favourite song is:

---------------------

months old Length: ---------------------

---------------------

I LIKE TO ASK QUESTIONS AND LEARN

I AM DUE FOR MY 2 YEAR MCHN CHECK UP

Now that I am

I like listening to:

I like seeing:

My first word:

My favourite food is:

---------------------

--------------------months old Height: ---------------------

I NEED HELP TO KEEP ME SAFE

Now that I am

Learning is fun when:

I explore my world by:

I can:

Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation is the peak body for Aboriginal health in Victoria. vaccho.org.au

- - - - - EVERY - - - - - - - - DAY -------I AM GETTING STRONGER

Place bottom of chart 40cm from floor

best written on with a waterproof permanent marker

I AM DUE FOR MY 18 MONTH MCHN CHECK UP

100cm

95cm

90cm

85cm

80cm

75cm

70cm

65cm

60cm

55cm

50cm

45cm

MY DREAMING ANIMAL (TOTEM) IS

Coolamon artwork: Shakara Montalto (Gunditjmara | Western District | Lake Condah Mission) Illustrations: Jaara Andy (Yorta Yorta | Wiradjuri).

Bullroarer Program is helping to change the lives of our young men The Program is a two day (4

themselves credit for and this in

sessions per day) or 8 x1.5hrs

turn encourages them to start

per week format targeted at young men 14-25 exploring selfesteem. It attempts to empower

Play with a purpose

recognise their own strengths

Through group discussion,

knowledge and understanding of their situation. was established two and

a half years ago with over 80 participants walking through its doors. The

Program was created as part of Njerndaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s youth

suicide prevention project. It became obvious to Stuart Hearn, Community Support Worker and Gilbert Wanganeen, SEWB Worker that the more

and mutually beneficial way.

these young men so they can and to perhaps build on their

The Bullroarer Program

using these controls in a positive

The Program incorporates sacred objects and cultural practices to deliver the message of hope and resilience, and to allow participants to share their stories in a safe and respectful environment. It offers 10 self esteem tips that target, not only the person themselves, (1-5 inside), but to also bring an awareness of what can be achieved by doing things

brainstorming and play with a purpose, our young men learn about their sacred objects, their flag and get to feel the weight of the issues that they carry every day. We examine what a promise is and what it means to each individual. Each participant is shown respect for their points of view and encouraged to take on the views of others without judgments.

for others, (6-10 outside).

If you want more information

the more obvious it was that

The Program emphasises that

they were walking around with

we are our habits and offers

contact Stuart or Gilbert on

young fullas they spoke to,

empty books, without the basic

tools to allow the participant

knowledge about themselves. This

to explore where they have

makes it difficult for these young

come from and to examine

fullas to treat themselves or others with love and respect or problem solve with dignity and integrity. The Program tries to resolve these

on the Bullroarer Program Stuarth@njernda.com.au, Gilbertw@njernda.com.au or 03 5482 6566.

where they are now. This way they can realistically plan for

where they want to be. This

shows the individual that they

problems by looking at them

possess more control over their

through the filter of their culture.

circumstances than they give VACCHO NEWS Autumn 2015

Closing the Gap

On Thursday 19 March, Premier of Victoria, The Honourable Daniel Andrews MP hosted a Closing the Gap event at Queens Hall in Parliament House to celebrate Victoria’s on-going commitment to reducing health inequality for Victorian Aboriginal peoples. In collaboration with VACCHO and Aboriginal Affairs Victoria (AAV), the Premier of Victoria opened the event with a speech that outlined some of the work that’s been done and what needs improving. Mr Andrews continued to highlight the importance of Aboriginal people leading the charge through all stages of the process to create better health outcomes for Aboriginal peoples.

“All of us (Government) must help Aboriginal people live fulfilling lives in their own identity…Closing the Gap is more important now than ever…” VACCHO CEO Ms Jill Gallagher AO called on both sides of politics to prioritise Aboriginal health and keep it on the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agenda.

“We cannot afford to let Victorian Aboriginal peoples be subject to inequality for another generation. Aboriginal health must be a COAG priority: making sure that Aboriginal health stays everybody’s responsibility.”

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation CEO Lisa Briggs, spoke on VACCHO’s radio show Yarnin’ Health to express what NACCHO defined as a true, engaging partnership at a National and State level.

“…For us, it means that you will work with us, we will be involved in the architectural decision making, you will not make decisions for us, making it much more robust, longer lasting and then we’ll be walking alongside each other for change…” To hear these speeches in full go to https://soundcloud. com/vaccho/sets/closethegap15. To get all the news on Victorian Aboriginal health, stream Yarnin’ Health at www.vaccho.org.au/nm/yhr/ or tune into Melbourne’s only First Nations’ radio station – 3KND Kool N Deadly 1503AM Digital. Wednesday 4–6pm

Member worker profiles

Greg Pepper

Iris Bysouth

Bringing Them Home Worker - Mallee District Aboriginal Service

Out of Home Care, Bringing Them Home Worker - Bendigo Aboriginal Co-op

Mob Watja Bulik, Gunnai/Kurnai

Mob Barkandji

How long have you been in your role? Four years

How long have you been in your role? Two years

What do you do? Bringing Them Home, Stolen Generation, Proof of Aboriginality and Elders Program.

What made you want to apply for this role? Because I worked for Centrelink for 30 years and when they offered me a payout I took this and then all I wanted to do was help my mob.

What made you want to apply for this role? As part of the stolen generation, and wanting to work for and with my people. What is most satisfying about your role? Connecting people back to family and Country. What is the most challenging thing about your role? Tracing family history and information for proof of Aboriginality. What has inspired you? Seeing other BTH and Aboriginal Health Workers and the work they do. What are you most passionate about? Helping Aboriginal people.

What is most satisfying about your role? Working with the community and seeing the faces of our people. What is the most challenging thing about your role? Lack of funds and not knowing where the next lot is coming from, lack of research and training dead end. What has inspired you? Working with Stolen Generation, the Royal Commission and the wider community. I want to do it for my mob.

What is your motto in life? Be respectful to your Elders and make sure your family comes first.

What are you most passionate about? I am passionate about my family and my people also very passionate about passing on knowledge to future generation and speaking out.

If I won the lottery I wouldâ&#x20AC;Ś.. Set the family up with housing and education.

If I won the lottery I wouldâ&#x20AC;Ś.. Make sure my people will benefit.

If you were stranded on a deserted island with one person, who would you take with you? It has to be my two daughters and my son.

If you were stranded on a deserted island with one person, who would you take with you? My grandfather.

VACCHO NEWS Autumn 2015

Victorian Aboriginal alcohol and other drugs service providers Metro

Gippsland Region

Ngwala Willumbong Co-operative Ltd – Head Office 93 Wellington Street, St Kilda 3182 Tel: 03 9510 3233

Lake Tyers Health & Children’s Service Rules Road, Lake Tyers 3887 Tel: 03 5155 8500

Dandenong & District Aboriginies Co-operative Ltd 3 Carroll Avenue, Dandenong 3175 Tel: 03 9794 5933

Victorian Aboriginal Health Service – Family Counselling Unit 238-250 Plenty Road, Preston 3072 Tel: 03 9403 3300

Hume Region Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service 644 Daniel Street, Glenroy 2640 Tel: 02 6040 1200 Freecall: 1800 421 640 Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation 21 Hovell Street, Wodonga 3690 Tel: 02 6024 7599

Gippsland & East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative 37-53 Dalmahoy Street, Bairnsdale 3875 Tel: 03 5150 0761

Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association 18-26 Jemmeson Street, Lakes Entrance 3909 Tel: 03 5155 8300 Moogji Aboriginal Council East Gippsland Inc. 52 Stanley Street, Orbost 3888 Tel: 03 5154 2133 Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation 117 Foster Street, Sale 3850 Tel: 03 5143 1644 Central Gippsland Aboriginal Health Services 7-9 Buckley Street, Morwell 3840 Tel: 03 5136 5100

Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd – Guawa Place 69-71 Numurkah Rd, Shepparton 3630 Tel: 03 5820 0092

Helplines Helplines Helplines Helplines

DirectLine

Tel: 1800 888 236 24 hours, 7 days a week Confidential AOD counselling and referral line

Family Drug Help Tel: 1300 660 068 Monday to Friday 9am9pm

Youth Support & Advocacy Service Tel: 1800 014 446 24 hour toll free service Service for people aged 12 – 21 years

Loddon Mallee Region

Mallee District Aboriginal Services - Mildura 120-122 Madden Avenue, Mildura 3502 Tel: 03 5022 1852 Mallee District Aboriginal Services - Kerang 9 Nolan Street, Kerang 3579 Tel: 03 5450 3019 Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-operative 87 Latje Road, Robinvale 3549 Tel: 03 5026 3353 Mallee District Aboriginal Services - Swan Hill 70 Nyah Road, Swan Hill 3585 Tel: 03 5032 8600 Njernda Aboriginal Corporation 84 Hare Street, Echuca 3564 Tel: 03 5480 6252 Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative 13-15 Forrest Street, Bendigo 3550 Tel: 03 5442 4947

Grampians/Barwon South West Region

Ballarat & District Aboriginal Co-operative 5 Market Street, Ballarat 3353 Tel: 03 5331 5344 Budja Budja Aboriginal Co-operative 20-22 Grampians Road, Halls Gap 3381 Tel: 03 5356 4751 Dhauwurd Wurrung Elderly and Community Health Service 18 Wellington Road, Portland 3305 Tel: 03 5521 7535 Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative 43 Hamilton Street, Horsham 3402 Tel: 03 5381 6333 Gunditjmara Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd 3 Banyan Street, Warrnambool 3280 Tel: 03 5564 3344 Kirrae Health Services Inc Kirrae Avenue, Purnim 3278 Tel: 03 55 671 270 Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative 62 Morgan Street, North Geelong 3215 Tel: 03 5277 2038 Winda Mara Aboriginal Corporation 21 Scott Street, Heywood 3304 Tel: 03 5527 2051

Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre Tel: 03 8413 8413

Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service Freecall: 1800 064 865

Harm Reduction Victoria Tel: 03 9329 1500

Australian Drug Foundation

Tel: 1300 85 85 84 www.druginfo.adf.org.au Alcohol and drug information service

VACCHO NEWS Autumn 2015

CEO For a Day program 2015 On the 26 March 2015 I was privileged to be selected as one of 16 national

applicants to participate in GenerationOnes CEO for a

Day program. This program gives Aboriginal people

from across the country

the opportunity to spend a day or two with one of

Australia’s leading CEOs. I was fortunate on two levels, one

wouldn’t be included in, but to

that I have involved myself in

I was selected and secondly to

my surprise there wasn’t. I was

throughout 17 years working

be spending my time with Tracy Adams the CEO of BoysTown in Brisbane. BoysTown is a NGO that is dedicated to enabling young people, especially those who are marginalised and without voice, to improve their quality of life. I was quite nervous on my arrival, but this eased as soon as I met Tracy and her staff. The day began by being Tracy’s ‘shadow’ for the day. I had some reservations that

so honoured that I was involved in all meetings and activities that Tracy had planned. This I believe gave me a once-in-alifetime opportunity to see and

within the Aboriginal health sector. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jill, VACCHO CEO and Belinda, Workforce and Wellbeing Unit

learn from BoysTown.

Director, for allowing me to

One of the main highlights was

Tracy Adams for taking me

being part of a budget meeting with Tracy. It was so informative and gave me an understanding on projected budgeting of a large organisation with such a large staff bank.

there were going to be some

It was one of the best personal

aspects and business that I

and professional activities

participate in this experience, under her wing for the day and GenerationOne for supplying Aboriginal people the chance to take part in such a brilliant and rewarding Program. Craig Holloway

Acting Manager, VACCHO Workforce and Wellbeing Unit.

VACCHO staff profile Erin Manderson Health Information Analyst Health Evidence Team I am very pleased to be making my return to VACCHO after working here a few years ago as the Medicare Enhancement Officer.

Since that time, I have been finishing off my Master of Public Health and have worked across a number of health/Aboriginal/ data sectors and more recently as the Prevention and Better Health Coordinator at the Frankston-Mornington Peninsula Medicare Local.

Closing the Gap in Victoria event at Parliament House

Deadly mob ready to talk

Jason B. King, VACCHO Chairperson and Victorian Aboriginal Health Service CEO

The Hon. Daniel Andrews MP with Dylan Clarke, VACCHO Radio Programme Project Officer

Aunty Mavis Egan, Aunty Doseena Fergie and Aunty Hilary Saunders keeping an eye on proceedings

Around the traps Follow us on

Jill Gallagher AO, VACCHO CEO

VACCHO Board Members Jason B. King: Chairperson Marcus Clarke: Vice Chairperson Andrew Gardiner: Board Member Hilary Saunders: Board Member Suzie Squires: Board Member Kevin Williams: Board Member Daphne Yarram: Board Member

17-23 Sackville Street Collingwood VIC 3066 P 03 9411 9411 F 03 9411 9599 E enquiries@vaccho.org.au

www.vaccho.org.au Follow us on

Kelli Bartlett: Board Member

stories | IDEAS | FEEDBACK

Don’t forget this is your newsletter and we need your stories and ideas.

If you would like to give us story ideas or comment on our newsletter please contact our Communications Officer Taloi Havini on 03 9411 9411 or on communications@vaccho.org.au.

VACCHO Members • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Aboriginal Community Elders Services Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service Ballarat & District Aboriginal Co-operative Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative Budja Budja Aboriginal Co-operative Cummeragunja Housing & Development Aboriginal Corporation Dandenong & District Aborigines Co-operative Dhauwurd Wurrung Elderly and Community Health Service Gippsland & East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative Gunditjmara Aboriginal Co-operative Healesville Indigenous Community Services Association Kirrae Health Services Inc. Lake Tyers Health & Children’s Service Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association

• Melbourne Aboriginal Youth Sport & Recreation Co-operative • Mallee District Aboriginal Services • Kerang Aboriginal Community Centre • Swan Hill & District Aboriginal Co-operative • Moogji Aboriginal Council East Gippsland Inc. • Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation • Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-operative • Ngwala Willumbong Cooperative • Njernda Aboriginal Corporation • Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation • Central Gippsland Aboriginal Health Services • Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd • Victorian Aboriginal Health Service • Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative • Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation VACCHO News Autumn 2015

This newsletter is printed on Impact recycled uncoated paper.